Irvine claimed that Gabriele Moratti, the son of a former mayor of Milan, punched him three times while he was sitting in the VIP area of a nightclub in Milan.

The incident occurred on December 20th, 2008.

Witnesses who have previously given evidence to the court claimed that the row started over a text Irvine is said to have sent to a woman - named only as Georgia - who was former girlfriend of Moratti.

The court heard witnesses describe both men as “protagonists” in the incident.

In a statement to the Milanese court, Irvine said he was talking to Georgia on a couch in the VIP area of a nightclub in the city when Moratti approached him.

“I was struck by Moratti with two or three punches , I lost my balance and fell,” he said.

Irvine said he was struck from behind, and didn’t look back as he was afraid